He listened a moment longer as she ended her call. “Aimee, you’re my best friend, but this really isn’t your problem. It’s mine. I’ll figure out a way to come up with the twenty grand…I will. I’ll see you later, I need to get back to work.”
Wow! Twenty thousand dollars? Leo looked at her attire and realized that in her world, that was probably a small fortune. In his, it was nothing, a pittance.
Suddenly, an idea came into his mind. If she needed twenty grand, he could write her a check right now—if she’d agree to sign a document transferring the stock certificates back to the family. She didn’t have the certificates yet, so there was a chance she didn’t even know about them. She would not be worried about such a small sum of money if she did. I can accomplish the task at hand and be home before the weekend.
He stepped out from behind the pillar as she turned to go back towards the table and softly called her name. “Gemma.”
She stopped. Her back stiffened momentarily before she turned and stared at him. Her mouth was open wide, shock evident in her eyes. She took a single step towards him, whispering brokenly, “Alexi?” Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed at his feet.
Leo surged forward to catch her. His mind raced at her reaction. She thinks I’m you, Alexi. God! I wish you were here to make sense of all of this. Who is this woman and what were you to her that she would faint at seeing you again?
Chapter 4
Gemma slowly came back to consciousness. She might be lying down, but her mind reeled as though she was still falling. Alexi’s back! Thoughts crowded her mind. Why now? Where has he been? God, he looked just the same… Shouldn’t he have aged a little bit in two years’ time?
She lay there a few seconds more, her eyes closed as she tried to deal with her emotions. I was so happy to see him after that night in Paris. He was my knight in shining armor, providing the commission I needed to pay Tyler’s tuition and fix my car’s air conditioner. What would he have said if he’d known how tight things really were for me?
Would it have made a difference in how he left? Would he have stayed if he’d known how much our time together truly meant to me?
Gemma’s head throbbed. She needed to open her eyes and deal with whatever was awaiting her. She’d survived Alexi leaving once before, so whatever he was here for, she would simply deal with it and then he’d leave again. Heart, don’t get involved. Stay neutral.
His low voice, the accent that had one time sent her heart racing, reached her ears. She heard her supervisor reply. She took a breath and braced herself to see his familiar face again. It was time to let everyone know she was awake.
She opened her eyes and pushed herself to a sitting position. She’d been moved to a small alcove, away from the other visitors to the museum. She looked up and met Alexi’s eyes. Anger at his betrayal surged through her. “What are you doing here?”
Alexi had been speaking into his phone and he now murmured a goodbye and placed it back in his pocket. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
Gemma felt all the emotions she’d kept bottled up these last two years bubble to the surface. He promised he’d only be gone a little while. God, I was so infatuated with him, I had no clue he wasn’t using his real name. “Angry! What are you doing here?” Her voice rose. She bit off her words, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself than she’d already done by fainting.
Her supervisor cleared his throat. “Gemma, is everything alright?”
Gemma flushed. “George, everything is fine. This man just surprised me. I haven’t seen him in a few years and I was shocked. I’m fine.”
Her supervisor didn’t look convinced.“Are you sure? I can call an ambulance…”
Gemma and pushed herself to a standing position, ignoring Alexi’s attempt to assist her to her feet. “No need. See, I’m fine. If it’s alright with you, I’m going to take a small break and speak with him for a moment.”
George glanced at his watch. “The day’s almost over. Take as much time as you need.” He walked off.
Gemma waited until he was out of earshot before she turned on Alexi, hands on her hips.“You have a lot of nerve showing up here.”
The look he gave her said he didn’t care about her feelings. He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Is that so?”
Angry? No. Gemma was outraged. “Yes! That’s so! Where have you been for the last two years?”
“Working.” He said smugly, with no hint of apology.
“Working.” She looked at him and shook her head. “Well, go back to work and leave me the hell alone!”
“I came here to see you.”
“Bully for you! I have nothing to say to you. I waited for you to come back, but you didn’t even have the courtesy to call or send a letter letting me know I would be waiting in vain.” Gemma felts tears spring to her eyes as the old hurt pushed to the surface. She’d thought she was in love with Alexi, whatever his last name was. He’d told her it was Stakis, but that had proven to be a lie. She’d spent precious resources trying to track him down, even hiring a private detective. But without sure knowledge of his country of origin, the detective could find nothing. There hadn’t seemed to be anyone with the name Alexi Stakis. “Just go away.”
“I’m afraid I cannot do that.” His sardonic smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Gemma turned and headed for the closest door, using her keycard to open it. “Then I’ll leave. Have a nice life!” She shut behind her, seeing the look of disbelief in his eyes. There was something different about him, something harder and more callous, but she wasn’t going to spend too many brain cells worrying about it.
She’d felt that instant attraction to him, and that angered her even more. It was like the first night they’d met in Paris. I know the price of giving into that chemistry and I’m not paying it twice. Alexi wasn’t trustworthy. Even the way he made her feel was nothing more than a pretty lie. Being with him had come at too high a price for Gemma to afford. Better to stay away from him all together.
*****
Leo cursed as the door shut in his face. He hadn’t been expecting her to follow through on her threat. He took the elevator down to the ground floor. The private investigator had told him she owned an old blue Toyota Corolla. After speaking briefly to the security guard on the pretense of checking out a flat tire for her, he was directed to the employee parking garage.
He easily spotted her car, the paint fading and rust showing through in several places. He didn’t give her another chance to evade him, so he positioned himself between the door and her vehicle, hoping he speak with her before she summoned the guards for help.
While he waited, he went over everything that had just transpired. She thought he was Alexi, a point he intended to use for his own benefit. It was also obvious that she was the same woman he’d slept with in Paris and that the chemistry between them was still there.
Most puzzling was the fact that she hadn’t seen Alexi in quite some time. Two years was what she’d accused him of. That made even less sense, knowing what Alexi had done. He imagined various scenarios to explain why Alexi would just abandon her and still give her his stock, but none of them were remotely plausible. Could this have something to do with the attempted kidnapping and his resulting paranoia? But why would Alexi just abandon a woman he obviously cared for? Nothing made sense. Yet.
The doors opened. He watched Gemma step out from the cool building and into the humid heat of the parking garage. She took half a dozen steps before she saw him waiting for her. She squared her shoulders and marched towards her vehicle. “Go away!”
“I need to talk to you. I need to explain—”
She rounded on him. “Do you really think anything you say can justify you disappearing for two years?”
Leo nodded. He stepped toward her, noticing that her eyes dilated and her rate of breathing increased. He felt the surge of attraction as well, but mentally shut that part of his body down. For the moment. “Family matters t
ook me back to Greece. I’ve only just now been able to return.”
Gemma shook her head. “I’m not buying it.” The anger wasn’t as prevalent in her voice this time.
A crack in her armor? Leo pressed his advantage.“It’s true. Please say you’ll forgive me? I couldn’t even call because I lost my phone and your number.”
“You could have called. You knew where I worked…” She paused and then flushed bright red. “I never told you where I worked. I did the restoration work at that small gallery in Maryland.”
She looked so lost, Leo almost felt sorry for her. Almost. He came up with what he hoped was a plausible excuse. “I called the gallery, but by then it had changed ownership. No one knew who you were.”
Gemma’s shoulders sagged. “The owner died about a month after you left. Some people from California bought it, but they ended up closing it down six months later. It’s a dry cleaner’s now.”
Leo could see her anger slip away. He gave into the urge to touch her once more. Lifting a hand to her cheek and slipping his fingers into her hair, he dislodged the plastic clip in the process, sending her hair cascading over his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Gemma closed her eyes briefly. He thought she was going to give into the attraction building between them. But, just like the door she’d slammed in his face, she closed off her emotions and pulled away. “I’m sorry as well. I’ve moved on.”
Damien! Leo knew he needed to make his move now or risk losing this chance. “Look, I overheard you talking to your friend. To Aimee?”
“You were spying on me?” she asked, outraged.
Leo shook his head. “No, but your phone rang just as I was about to announce myself. Anyway, I overheard you telling her you needed money. I know I can’t undo the past, but I can help with that at least. Will you let me?”
Gemma shook her head. “I don’t want your money, Alexi.”
Leo gave her a hard look. “So you’d rather dance half-naked for a bunch of strangers than sleep with me again?”
Gemma gasped. Leo only felt a moment’s regret for using sex and money together. He’d never paid for sex in his life, but he was willing to do so now, if it meant he could have her again and get the stock transfer signed. Anything to avoid having to marry Petrina!
“I never said I was going to dance half-naked, and I’m pretty sure they are mostly naked these days.” Gemma shivered in what he guessed was revulsion at the thought of having to degrade herself in such a way.
Leo stepped close to her once more. “We were good together, don’t deny it.”
“I won’t, but that doesn’t mean I should repeat the experience.”
Leo grinned at her. “Oh, but you want to. You’re already thinking about it, aren’t you? The way I made you feel.”
Gemma shook her head in denial. “Stop it! That was two years ago. I’ve moved on.”
Leo lifted her left hand, “I don’t see a ring.”
“So? A ring doesn’t necessarily mean anything, nor does not wearing one.”
She was speaking defensively. Leo reached out and pulled her against his body. “Whatever you need, I can give it to you. Just imagine… We can rekindle our passion and you won’t have to worry about the twenty thousand dollars.” He kissed the spot just below her ear, noting with satisfaction the quick inhalation of her breath and the shiver than ran down her spine. Gotcha! “Fee-li se me.”
Gemma shook her head, “What’s that mean?”
Leo kissed her cheek. “Kiss me,” he whispered against her ear. “Kiss me and tell me you want this again.”
Chapter 5
Washington, D.C….
Gemma was in so much trouble! Alexi was back—and so were the same feelings and attraction that had led her to his bed within an hour of meeting him. God, why did he have to come back now? I already have enough on my plate, with Tyler and his school bills, and Damien…Damien! Oh, God! Alexi doesn’t know about Damien…
She looked into his dark eyes, hoping to find the Alexi that had treated her so sweetly and with so much respect. They’d had one night of intense passion. When she’d met him again, he was much more laid back, insisting they take things slowly. Three weeks. Three weeks of dates, kisses, soft caresses. Finally, he’d taken her to bed, but it had been nothing like the first time. Alexi had taken her gently, a soft and gentle loving that had charmed her—and yet, a part of her had longed for the dominating, aggressive man who’d first caught her attention.
She’d not worried about it much, sure that the ups and downs of sex with Alexi were just part of any normal relationship. Now he was back but the gentle lover who’d abandoned her two years earlier was nowhere to be found. Alexi was like a hunter and she his prey…and the things he made her feel were very dangerous.
She pushed against his hold, creating a small space between their bodies. “This isn’t going to work.”
He smiled into her eyes. “What isn’t going to work?”
“Using sex to make me forget that you disappeared.”
He tried to pull her closer once again, but she resisted. He made a face. “I was a fool for not coming back. I realize that. I can’t explain everything that happened, but believe me when I tell you I didn’t want to stay away.”
He looked so sincere that Gemma felt her resolve softening. “I don’t know…”
“Don’t think with your head, but with your heart and your body.” He pulled her closer, kissing her softly at first. When she started to respond, he deepened the kiss. It felt so good to be in his arms once again, Gemma couldn’t make herself push him away.
As he kissed her there in the parking garage, she felt her anger slip away. She’d cried so many tears over him… But now he’s back.
“Come to Greece with me.” He placed soft kisses across her jawline and down her neck.
What? Gemma jerked back, pushing forcefully against him when he didn’t immediately let her go. “Did you ask me to come to Greece with you?”
He nodded. “Yes, gatáki. Greece. My homeland.”
Gemma laughed, the absurdity of what he was asking of her too much for her to handle. “I can’t just take off for Greece! And since when is Greece your homeland? I asked you repeatedly where you were from. You never gave me a straight answer.”
He inclined his head. “And for that, I apologize again. Yes, gatáki. I am from Greece and I would very much like to show you my country.”
Gemma shook her head. “I have a job here.”
“And you could have one there as well. Do you remember the auction where we met?”
Gemma nodded her head. “Of course.”
“And the large Monet that was so badly damaged you weren’t sure it could ever be repaired?”
“Yes, but the curator said it had been pulled from the auction.” Gemma was confused. “I restored the painting you bought…”
“You did a remarkable job and my mi téra, my mother, was pleased with her birthday gift. It hangs in her private sitting room where she can look at it daily.”
“I’m glad she liked it, but what does this have to do with the large Monet?”
“I purchased it the morning after. I was keeping it as a surprise for you. Obviously, it has been waiting for two years to be revealed. It is in Greece and in desperate need of your services.”
The challenge of restoring the large watercolor tempted her. But in Greece? “I can’t leave here. You could have it shipped—”
He shook his head. “And risk damaging it further? You must come to Greece with me and work there.”
Gemma looked at him and her heart sank. She couldn’t go to Greece for a variety of reasons, first and foremost, the little boy who was at that very moment waiting for her to walk through the front door. Alexi didn’t know about Damien, and since she didn’t know or trust him, she wasn’t willing to risk that part of her life. Not even for a chance at the Monet.
“I’m sorry, I can’t leave Washington, D.C. right now. Again, you can have the painting shipped over
here. It could take well over a year to fully restore the painting. If that is not acceptable to you then I would be happy to look up some art restoration experts in that part of the world and send you their names.”
*****
Leo held onto his temper. He wanted to demand she pack her bags and meet him at the airport, but Gemma wasn’t an easy woman to push around. He’d tried appealing to the sexual chemistry between them, but she’d been able to keep from falling under his spell. Even the lure of the painting wasn’t enough to entice her.
Leo wasn’t a man to give up on something once he’d set his eyes on it. Right now, he not only wanted the stock certificates signed over but he also wanted…no, he needed Gemma back in his bed.
She walked around him, heading for the driver’s side of her vehicle, and he quickly followed. He pressed her up against the car, using his body to hold her in place and his hands to stoke the banked desire back to a roaring fire.
“Gemma, don’t walk away from me. From this. Se thelo!” Seeing the question in her eyes, he cupped her jaw and tipped her head up to meet his own, whispering against her lips. “I want you. Very much.”
He could see the desire building in her eyes and used every trick he knew of to ensnare her with feelings, lowering his voice seductively. “Come have dinner with me.”
She swung her head in denial, still fighting the chemistry between them. “I can’t…”
“You can. Just one dinner. For old times’ sake.” He brushed his thumb across her collarbone, watching as her eyes darkened and her breath came in short pants. “Just dinner. I have a limo waiting out front and will bring you back here whenever you’re ready to leave.”
Leo was turned on by the fact that Gemma didn’t immediately comply with his demands. He was used to women falling all over themselves to get his attention. Gemma made him work for the pleasure of her company.
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